Derrick Mutende
Tatu City
Summary
A highly accomplished and strategically focused Associate Dean of Instruction and Leraning, currently taking the lead of academic programmes and offering dedicated leadership to teaching teams. Possesses extensive administrative and instructional experience, including serving as a Subject Head for History, managing departmental matters, and driving curricular strategies. As an educator, he excels in delivering engaging lessons in History and Government, Social Studies, and Kiswahili, with deep pedagogical knowledge spanning both the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and the IGCSE system. Expertise is further solidified by advanced knowledge in Curriculum Design (specifically in History and Social Studies) and specialized training in Innovation and Leadership course, ensuring a commitment to institutional excellence and continuous academic improvement.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
ASSOCIATE DEAN OF INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING
NOVA PIONEER
Tatu City
01.2025 - Current
- Liaise with the Dean of Instruction and Learning and coordinate the registration of candidates for KCSE. Including document collection and the KNEC Portal set-up.
- Work with the Principal to articulate a compelling short- and long-term vision for the development of the school's academic culture and programs.
- Contribute to the school termly action plan and execute on the academic portion of the action plan.
- Set and model a consistent tone of highest expectations, joy, and growth mindset.
- Lead key school rituals as needed to model and ingrain culture.
- Quickly identify and respond to classroom/school culture on behavior issues.
- Lead instructional sessions for parents such as during Open Days and Academic days.
- Follow up with the Curriculum Development Manager on teachers' feedback on lesson plans.
- Coordinate with the academic support team on availability of learning materials and teaching resources.
- Serve as hiring manager for all instructional staff hires.
- Coach teachers through extensive classroom observation and feedback.
- Weekly Update Observation and Feedback tracker and use the data to effectively coach teacher on the sequence of action steps.
- Supervise all professional development routines and activities across the school.
- Facilitate collaboration among teachers within/across grade levels and subject areas.
- Collect, analyze, share and interpret internal and external school assessment data and ensure that data is used strategically to improve student academic performance and run teacher data circles.
- Oversee planning, execution and analysis of intervention programs targeted at needs of diverse academic subgroups, whether remedial or academic enrichment.
- Partner with the Dean of Instruction and Learning to run all academic systems and structures including but not limited to Ed Admin, Timetabling, Booster Lessons Monitoring and evaluating teaching and learning within the department in line with school policy.
- Recommending appropriate professional development for department teachers within the subject area.
- Planning and implementing the induction of new teachers within the department.
- Identifying staffing needs in consultation with the SLT and advising as requested by the Head of School.
- Leading the department in developing and improving teaching and learning; establishing priorities and goals for the department.
- Planning curriculum including developing and maintaining schemes of work in consultation with colleagues within the department and across the whole school.
- Maintaining and developing assessment practices including oral assessment, standardization and moderation strategies.
- Analyzing and evaluating examinations and other student performance data and reporting results to the School Leadership Team (SLT).
- Launched and pioneered the Nova Pioneer Yearbook Project in 2021.
- Successfully designed Grade 7 Leadership and Innovation Course 2023-2024.
- Attained exemplary performance in History of 9.2 in 2022 and 9.3 in Kiswahili in 2023.
- Successfully undertook the Mastery 1.0 Course in 2023.
- Successfully patronized World Scholars team to the Tournament of Champions in 2024.
- Appointed the History/Social Studies Learning Designer in November 2024.
HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES LEARNING DESIGNER
NOVA PIONEER
11.2024 - Current
- Termly creation or adaptation of termly schemes of work.
- Creation of mid and end-of-term exams.
- Termly creation or adaptation of projects.
- Creation of all quizzes.
- Linking already existing lesson plans to termly schemes of work.
- Lead subject department(s) across the schools in the Nova Pioneer Kenya region, creating a culture of subject expertise and collaborative learning.
- Creation of a culture of High Expectations, Greater Together, Joy of Learning and Always Growing in the subject department(s) that you lead.
- Leading subject department meetings on a regular cadence that allow for the review and unpacking of upcoming content, the review of data, sharing collaborative best practices and the sharing of feedback on previously completed content so that it is able to be updated.
- Being the subject expert for the region in the specific subject areas.
- Staying up to date on all content updates from KICD/Cambridge and sharing those with Kenya Curriculum and Development Manager and the subject department team.
- Attending and actively engaging in monthly Learning Design Professional Developments.
RESIDENT HISTORY/KISWAHILI/SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATOR
NOVA PIONEER
Tatu City
01.2021 - Current
YEARBOOK EDITOR
NOVA PIONEER
Tatu Girls
01.2021 - Current
- Assisting with the management of cover work for absent colleagues in the department.
- Liaising and collaborating with other Heads of Department as appropriate.
- Overseeing students' academic progress within the department.
HOMEROOM TEACHER
NOVA PIONEER
Tatu Girls
01.2021 - Current
- Cultivated strong relationships with each student to foster a supportive homeroom environment.
- Established an approachable demeanor, promoting kindness and openness among students.
- Encouraged students to embrace moral values and feel valued within the community.
- Fostered a sense of community in the homeroom through collaborative activities.
- Monitored behavior, advising adherence to School Code for improved conduct.
- Maintained accurate attendance records to track student participation.
- Reviewed and documented each student's academic progress regularly.
- Celebrated achievements, birthdays, and friendships to enhance classroom morale.
HEAD OF HISTORY
NOVA PIONEER
Tatu Girls
01.2022 - 05.2025
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, collaborative research work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials such as syllabi, homework assignments, and collaborative as well as individual research projects.
- Compile, administer, and grade practical research projects as a means of compiled assessment.
- Keep abreast of developments in my field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
DEXTRA VA SERVICES
03.2023 - 11.2024
- Created and edited documents, presentations, and spreadsheets using Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
- Managed professional correspondence with clients and stakeholders to ensure timely communication.
- Handled social media accounts, scheduling posts to increase online engagement.
- Executed basic bookkeeping tasks, including invoicing, expense tracking, and account reconciliation.
- Prioritized tasks effectively to meet deadlines and enhance client satisfaction.
- Adapted quickly to new tools and technologies, streamlining workflows for improved efficiency.
- Collaborated with team members and clients to deliver exceptional virtual support for projects.
- Conducted thorough research and compiled data for various presentations and reports.
HISTORY/KISWAHILI EDUCATOR
OLKEJUADO HIGH SCHOOL
Kajiado
01.2018 - 12.2020
HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES/KISWAHILI EDUCATOR
MABUUSI RCEA SECONDARY SCHOOL
Bungoma
01.2017 - 12.2017
Education
Bachelor of Education Arts - History and Kiswahili
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
Kakamega, Kenya01.2016
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -
Chavakali Boys High School
Maragoli, Kenya01.2011
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education -
St Peters Mumias Boys Primary School
Mumias, Kenya01.2008
Skills
- Observation
- Decision Making
- Multi-tasking
- Critical thinking
- Communication skills
- Creativity
- Problem solving
- Perseverance
- Collaboration
- Integrating interactive technology
- Setting and communicating goals
- Effective student feedback
- Preparing activity plans
- Implementing individualized education plans
- Effective assessment
- Participating in meetings
- Undertaking special assignments
- Teaching inquiry-based lessons
- Infusing joy in learning
- Leadership
- Interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of child protection policies
- Organizational skills
- Determination
- Persuasion
- Teamwork
- Tact
- Diplomacy
- Proficiency in computer applications
- Microsoft Office suite
- Innovation
- Financial literacy
- Calendar management
- Attention to detail
- Consistency
- Maintaining documents and records
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Effective communication
Accomplishments
- Launched and pioneered the Nova Pioneer Yearbook Project in 2021.
- Successfully designed Grade 7 Leadership and Innovation Course 2023-2024.
- Attained exemplary performance in History of 9.2 in 2022 and 9.3 in Kiswahili in 2023.
- Successfully undertook the Mastery 1.0 Course in 2023.
- Successfully patronized World Scholars team to the Tournament of Champions in 2024 and 2025.
- Appointed the History/Social Studies learning designer in November 2024
References
To be availed upon request.
Timeline
ASSOCIATE DEAN OF INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING
NOVA PIONEER
01.2025 - Current
HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES LEARNING DESIGNER
NOVA PIONEER
11.2024 - Current
VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
DEXTRA VA SERVICES
03.2023 - 11.2024
HEAD OF HISTORY
NOVA PIONEER
01.2022 - 05.2025
RESIDENT HISTORY/KISWAHILI/SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATOR
NOVA PIONEER
01.2021 - Current
YEARBOOK EDITOR
NOVA PIONEER
01.2021 - Current
HOMEROOM TEACHER
NOVA PIONEER
01.2021 - Current
HISTORY/KISWAHILI EDUCATOR
OLKEJUADO HIGH SCHOOL
01.2018 - 12.2020
HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES/KISWAHILI EDUCATOR
MABUUSI RCEA SECONDARY SCHOOL
01.2017 - 12.2017
Bachelor of Education Arts - History and Kiswahili
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -
Chavakali Boys High School
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education -
St Peters Mumias Boys Primary School